Musa names 39 for inaugural World Boxing African Championships

National team head coach Musa Benjamin named 19 debutants in the squad for the historic tournament, which will be staged under African Boxing, an affiliate of World Boxing established to help guide boxers safely towards the Olympic Games.

Among those earning their first national call-ups are Kasarani Youth lightweight Ben Juma, his younger brother Chris Juma, and KDF’s reigning Africa Military Games bantamweight champion Dennis Muthama.

Kasarani Youth’s slick southpaw Morris Kimani and G44 bantamweight Morris Odhiambo are also among the newcomers. Odhiambo made headlines after upsetting the formidable Muthama in Mombasa.

Reigning national lightweight champion Emmanuel Omollo of Police has moved up to welterweight, taking his relentless southpaw style into a new division.

KDF’s George Ayacko adds power in the super-heavyweight division after earning his place with an upset victory over African silver medallist Clinton Macharia.

The men’s debutants also include Samuel Ndiema, Police middleweight Steve Onyango, former Kajiado standout Lawrence Ombwochi, now with KDF, Ruaraka’s Francis Lennox, flyweight Abdallah Juma, Prisons southpaw Chris Musyoki and cruiserweight Victor Okeke.

The women’s newcomers include gritty light-flyweight southpaw Grace Atieno of Githurai Thailand. She impressed in the Robert Wangila Memorial Cup final, where she outclassed Damacline Boyani, who has risen from life on the streets to become a boxing prospect at Kasarani Youth. Atieno has also recorded two victories over international boxer Jane Wangare of Prisons.

Juliet Akinyi is another newcomer. The Kisumu boxer stunned the Kenyan boxing fraternity by defeating experienced international Elizabeth Akinyi during a league clash in Vihiga.

Elizabeth Akinyi is returning to the national team for the first time since competing at the 2023 Women’s World Championships in India. Her return could set up a rematch with Juliet in Kisumu in November.

At flyweight, Veronica “Pioneer” Mbithe and Lencer Akinyi bring experience and leadership. Mbithe won the 2025 Africa Zone 3 title and a silver medal at the Africa Military Games.

Amina Martha, the African Games bantamweight bronze medallist, has remained unbeaten on the local scene since 2019.

Captain Boniface “The Hammer” Mogunde will lead the team. The reigning African champion has remained unbeaten domestically for eight years.

African Games middleweight champion and former basketball player Edwin Okong’o adds further experience, while Shaffi Bakari is the squad’s longest-serving international. Bakari won silver at the 2019 Africa Games and has also claimed gold at the Zone 3 Championships. He has represented the senior national team since 2017.

Robert “Man Ngori” Okaka, a two-time African bronze medallist, is another key member of the squad. He made history by becoming the first Kenyan boxer in 43 years to reach the quarter-finals of the IBA Men’s World Championships.

The experienced group also includes internationals Alvin “Liwaloliwe” Oduor, also known as Omena Boy, Mwinyi Kombo, Aloice Vincent, Chrispine Ochanda, Peter “The Beast” Abuti and Clinton Macharia.

World Boxing weight categories

The men’s 10 weight categories are:

• 50kg – flyweight

The women’s 10 categories are:

• 48kg – light-flyweight

Kenya's full squad

Women

1. Jane Wangare – 48kg

Men

1. Morris Kimani – 50kg